My left hand was at the front of his neck to catch him as he dropped."Nnnng!" Reggie mewled. His eyes widened in panic as his inability to move from t...e neck down registered. I tried to breath--in, expand the ribcage, out. Wow, that fucking charge hurt! I caught my breath a second before his friends caught on that it wasn't going well for Reggie."If one of you takes a step forward," I said to the room, "I promise this motherfucker is never going to walk again, and you'll be his wheelchair. When you are through reading this letter, give it to Katisha and shewill burn it. If you like, read it again, so that it burns in your mind.While Beulah was reading the letter, tears began to roll down hischeeks. He wanted to be a maid, it would be fun. He thought the kidswould accept him and still call him 'daddy.' He didn't expect to be ablack woman. He didn't expect it to be lifelong. But it was too latenow. Katisha, seeing the tears handed him a tissue. Beulah let himread the letter. I swore that was her walking behind my car. I opened my door and stepped out, and realized I wasn't day dreaming. Standing there in my driveway was the object of my continuing desire."HI MR. P.!" She exclaimed."Lexi? What are you doing here" I asked."Oh I live right down the street there" she said, pointing down the block. "Sorry to show up like this." How do you know where I live?' I asked."I looked it up online" she answered."Um ok" I said, not knowing how to respond. I started walking up to. " A chorus of sighs circled the room. Polly stuffed her hands into the pockets of her gray pinafore and a broad smile filled her face. "Its just so exciting! Going off to marry a stranger in a far away place." We think you're the bravest person in the world," Jenny chirped. "I'd never. I just couldn't."At that, several voices started at once. Mary turned her head from one girl to another, unable to answer one before another spoke. "When are you gonna leave?" "Did he send you a tintype? What's.